Regional Queensland students and volunteers honoured
Published Monday, 12 November, 2007 at 05:00 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Hailing from schools in Ayr, Charters Towers, Mackay and Townsville, 18 inspiring young Queenslanders and five hardworking volunteers will receive their due reward and recognition at a gala awards ceremony in Townsville Saturday 10 November.
Minister for Youth Lindy Nelson-Carr said seven of the 18 young Queenslanders would be presented with Gold Awards, with 11 to receive Silver Awards, at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold and Silver Award Presentation at James Cook University.
“These young Queenslanders – some of whom are boarding students from as far as Mornington Island and Aramac – should be extremely proud of their achievements,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Ms Nelson-Carr said Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce will present the Gold Awards.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program is an excellent way for young people to build their physical, social and emotional skills,” she said.
”Participants develop a range of important life skills — including teamwork, decision making and leadership — as they meet challenges set by themselves.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said Gold and Silver Awards were presented to participants who undertake – over a minimum of 12 and six months respectively – a series of self-selected community service activities, including skills development, adventurous journeys and physical recreation.
“The new skills these young Queenslanders have developed will help them reach their full potential and become valuable members of the wider community,” she said.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the young awardees were all past and present students of four schools – All Souls St Gabriels School in Charters Towers, Ignatius Park College in Townsville, Whitsunday Anglican School in North Mackay and Ayr State High School.
Volunteer Recognition Awards recognising 20, 10 and three years of dedicated service will also be presented on behalf of Minister Nelson-Carr by Tim Quinn, Chair of the Queensland State Award Committee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
“The volunteer awards were designed to pay tribute to people who support young people as they participate in the program,” Mr Quinn said.
“I congratulate all of our young Gold and Silver Award recipients and sincerely thank everyone involved in the organisation, development and promotion of the program.
“Receiving a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an amazing achievement, especially given the level of commitment required to complete each level.”
The awards were designed to provide a structured, non-competitive program of personal development and achievement for young Queenslanders aged 14 to 25.
For information about the program, contact the State Award Office in the Department of Communities on 1800 177 338 or visit www.dukesaward.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS:
All Souls St Gabriel’s School, Charters Towers
John Alford, 17, from Aramac
Adam Black, 17, from Charters Towers
Ashley Brabon, 17, from Ingham (former student)
Robert Mills, 18, from Darwin
Ignatius Park College, Townsville
Jonathan Hung, 18, from Gulliver (former student)
Christopher Nobile, 17, from Annandale
Whitsunday Anglican School, North Mackay
Dean Williamson, 18, from Mackay (former student)
SILVER AWARD RECIPIENTS:
All Souls St Gabriel’s School, Charters Towers
Scott Alford, 15, from Aramac
Samuel Attwood, 16, from Mornington Island
Natasha Cowan, 16, from Hughenden
Tom Perry, 16, from Croydon
Ayr State High School, Ayr
Teigan Guy, 17, from Home Hill
Katie Pirrone, 15, from Ayr
Heather Scott, 17, from Ayr
Ignatius Park College, Townsville
Christopher Hodgson, 15, from Mount Low
Ben Hyde, 16, from Aitkenvale
Brett Thompson, 17, from Deeragun
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPEINTS:
20-Year Gold Plaques
David Guy, a teacher and expedition instructor at Ayr State High School
David Page Dhu, a teacher and expedition instructor at The Cathedral School in Townsville
10-Year Certificates of Recognition
John Nuss, a teacher and adventurous journey attendant at Ignatius Park College in Townsville
Steven Coleman, a teacher and expedition instructor at Ignatius Park College
Three-Year Certificate of Recognition
Mal Schneider, Charters Towers Area Award Committee member, and teacher and expedition instructor at All Souls and St Gabriels School in Charters Towers
Minister for Youth Lindy Nelson-Carr said seven of the 18 young Queenslanders would be presented with Gold Awards, with 11 to receive Silver Awards, at the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold and Silver Award Presentation at James Cook University.
“These young Queenslanders – some of whom are boarding students from as far as Mornington Island and Aramac – should be extremely proud of their achievements,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Ms Nelson-Carr said Queensland Governor Quentin Bryce will present the Gold Awards.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program is an excellent way for young people to build their physical, social and emotional skills,” she said.
”Participants develop a range of important life skills — including teamwork, decision making and leadership — as they meet challenges set by themselves.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said Gold and Silver Awards were presented to participants who undertake – over a minimum of 12 and six months respectively – a series of self-selected community service activities, including skills development, adventurous journeys and physical recreation.
“The new skills these young Queenslanders have developed will help them reach their full potential and become valuable members of the wider community,” she said.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the young awardees were all past and present students of four schools – All Souls St Gabriels School in Charters Towers, Ignatius Park College in Townsville, Whitsunday Anglican School in North Mackay and Ayr State High School.
Volunteer Recognition Awards recognising 20, 10 and three years of dedicated service will also be presented on behalf of Minister Nelson-Carr by Tim Quinn, Chair of the Queensland State Award Committee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
“The volunteer awards were designed to pay tribute to people who support young people as they participate in the program,” Mr Quinn said.
“I congratulate all of our young Gold and Silver Award recipients and sincerely thank everyone involved in the organisation, development and promotion of the program.
“Receiving a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an amazing achievement, especially given the level of commitment required to complete each level.”
The awards were designed to provide a structured, non-competitive program of personal development and achievement for young Queenslanders aged 14 to 25.
For information about the program, contact the State Award Office in the Department of Communities on 1800 177 338 or visit www.dukesaward.qld.gov.au
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
GOLD AWARD RECIPIENTS:
All Souls St Gabriel’s School, Charters Towers
John Alford, 17, from Aramac
Adam Black, 17, from Charters Towers
Ashley Brabon, 17, from Ingham (former student)
Robert Mills, 18, from Darwin
Ignatius Park College, Townsville
Jonathan Hung, 18, from Gulliver (former student)
Christopher Nobile, 17, from Annandale
Whitsunday Anglican School, North Mackay
Dean Williamson, 18, from Mackay (former student)
SILVER AWARD RECIPIENTS:
All Souls St Gabriel’s School, Charters Towers
Scott Alford, 15, from Aramac
Samuel Attwood, 16, from Mornington Island
Natasha Cowan, 16, from Hughenden
Tom Perry, 16, from Croydon
Ayr State High School, Ayr
Teigan Guy, 17, from Home Hill
Katie Pirrone, 15, from Ayr
Heather Scott, 17, from Ayr
Ignatius Park College, Townsville
Christopher Hodgson, 15, from Mount Low
Ben Hyde, 16, from Aitkenvale
Brett Thompson, 17, from Deeragun
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPEINTS:
20-Year Gold Plaques
David Guy, a teacher and expedition instructor at Ayr State High School
David Page Dhu, a teacher and expedition instructor at The Cathedral School in Townsville
10-Year Certificates of Recognition
John Nuss, a teacher and adventurous journey attendant at Ignatius Park College in Townsville
Steven Coleman, a teacher and expedition instructor at Ignatius Park College
Three-Year Certificate of Recognition
Mal Schneider, Charters Towers Area Award Committee member, and teacher and expedition instructor at All Souls and St Gabriels School in Charters Towers